Gluttony: The Indulgence of Appetites

We live in a day where so many things are readily at our fingertips. We have access to just about everything that one could possibly imagine. Because of this, we have become a society that is literally a gluttonous generation. Yet, when most people think of the word gluttony, what comes to mind most often is gluttony of food and alcohol. Webster defines gluttony as being, “greedy or excessive indulgence.” I’d like to go one step further in defining gluttony as being an indulgence in selfishness.

Very few people consider that there would be other forms of gluttony. I would say that another way of looking at gluttony would have to be in the area of hoarding. Sure some will say they are collecting or storing things up, but it is usually kept with no intention of ever being shared with anyone else.

The bible clearly speaks to this issue warning against the perils of storing up treasures that can become corrupt. It also speaks to the futility of gaining the world at the risk of one’s own soul. In this Information Age, it is obvious that many are doing just that. Many are losing the their souls because they are foolishly attempting to glean endless amounts of information and hoard a wealth of other things with no thought of sharing it or passing it on.

The sad fact of the matter is that the tangible things that people excessively amass cannot be taken with them when they die. I’ve heard stories about people who have placed in their wills that they wanted to be buried with their possessions, but that is so useless.

The truly tragic thing is to die and take the wealth of wisdom and information to your grave. There are many who would look to us to share the wisdom that dwells within us. Robbing them of our wisdom is to cheat them out of time that could have been saved in processes, as well as prevention of errors.

I once heard someone say that, “revelation without application leads to spiritual constipation.” This is so true. Many people fill up on such weighty things that are rich and filling; yet their lack to act or even share what was received stagnated them from growing and moving. Maturity is the ability to not keep things locked up and hidden, but the ability and wisdom to be responsible in when, where, why, how and with whom to share it.

If we are meant to live a life that is both built upon leaving a legacy and create generational transfer, then selfish indulgence cannot be the call we answer to. Jesus instructed the people when he prepared them for service to only take what was needed for that day’s journey, for God was a provider who could care and supply all their needs.

God is a God that knows all and will make the necessary provisions because he cares. Whatever you have need of, take what is necessary for the journey you are on and God will both provide and multiply all that is required for your assignment. Don’t indulge your appetites to the point of gluttony. Once you reach your fill, love enough to share.

QUESTION: Have you ever seen the affects of gluttony around you or within you? How do you handle it when you see it?